Are You Making a Mistake By Not Filing for Social Security Disability Benefits if You Have Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease?

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, COPD, is a general term for lung disease that can include conditions like chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and chronic asthma. Chronic bronchitis and emphysema cause excessive inflammatory process that leads to changes in your lung structure and can permanently obstruct your airflow. Unfortunately, both are permanent conditions that worsen over time. COPD also increases the workload of the heart. Since you have difficulty breathing, the amount of oxygen that goes to your blood may be reduced and that causes your heart to work even harder.

If your doctor has told you that you are unable to work as a result of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, you may be entitled to Social Security Disability benefits. Diagnostic studies, including spirometry makes sure that you have reduced lung function. That medical test alone may establish that you meet what is called a listing for the purposes of Social Security Disability work.

If a diagnostic study identifies that your Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is so severe as to meet a listing, you can still win your Social Security Disability case. At steps four and five of the Social Security Administration will determine whether or not you can return to the lightest job you have held in the last 15 years and if not, whether or not you have transferable skills based on your age, education and skill level that may result in you being employable on the open labor market.

While that sounds like a mouthful, let’s break it down into some practicalities. If, for example, you have shortness of breath with minimal exertion walking, or even walking, you most likely will not be able to return to the lightest job that you have held in the last 15 years. If you struggle for breath, get winded easily, and get fatigued easily as a result of difficulty breathing, you will be significantly limited in the environment for working and your ability to maintain the pace of any job.

If you have been diagnosed as having Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, you may be entitled to Social Security Disability benefits. For more information on your rights to Social Security Disability benefits contact attorneys Cavey and Barrett.

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LEGAL ADVICE DISCLAIMER: The contents of this blog are for educational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice and the information offered does not create an attorney client relationship. If you would like such advice please contact us directly at 727-894-3188 to be considered for acceptance as a client of the firm.